A Strong Voice for the People and Hard Working Families in Meath

For too long, Meath has been left out and left behind by this Government. Time and time again when it comes to funding for local services, the building of schools, the fares we pay for public transport or the provision of broadband, the people of Meath have been treated as second class citizens. I and Labour believe we can do better for the people of Meath.

I will continue to work hard in the Seante to ensure a better quality of life for the people of Meath East.

Issues I commit myself to working on for the people of Meath:

Meath Issues:

I am working to ensure that health services in Meath are upgraded and developed and that all people will have access to hospital care and care in the community when they need it.

I am campaigning to ensure that Meath County Council gets its fair share of funding from Central Government. In 2006 we just got 62% of the average funding per head of population, that’s not enough to meet the many and growing needs of our county.

I am campaigning to ensure that Government Departments and other state agencies working in Meath, such as the HSE, VEC, FAS, plan well in advance for our needs, work together and that they get sufficient resources to fund their plans.

I am fighting for more Gardaí to be stationed in towns across Meath East. The population of Meath has grown enormously in the past ten years, but the number of Gardaí here has not kept pace, leading to an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour and people feeling unsafe on the streets and in their homes.

I am highlighting the need for better, cheaper and more reliable bus and rail services in Meath. Meath commuters are paying a lot more for their transport compared to commuters from other counties, this needs to stop.

I am working to ensure that Meath is prioritised for inward investment, so that we can provide more jobs and opportunities for people living in Meath, to be able to work in Meath.

I am campaigning for better access to broadband across the constituency, so that consumers have access to fast internet services for personal and business use.

I am campaigning for greater road safety in Meath, in particular my campaign to have warning and flashing lights placed outside every school to better protect the lives and safety of children.

I am fighting to ensure that the voice of local people and communities is heard in the planning process and that the needs of communities are put ahead of developers and builders. I will also campaign for the abolition of the €20 planning fee, which inhibits citizens from having their say in planning.

I am working to ensure that funding and resources are put into childcare and crèche facilities in Meath, so that parents are given more choice and support when rearing their children.

I am working for increased support and resources to youth organisations and outlets such as youth cafes for teenagers and young people in our towns and villages, so that they have a place to meet and can channel their many talents and energies in a positive manner.

I support measures to address the needs of people with disabilities in Meath so that they can contribute fully to our economy and society as equal citizens.

I am campaigning for increased resources and support for older and retired people in Meath, so that they can live their lives with dignity. This will include extra resources for social facilities, health and care, transport services and security measures to protect people in their homes.

I am campaigning to ensure that the rights of residents in unfinished estates across the county are addressed by Meath County Council and by Central Government. I will work to ensure that developers and builders meet their commitments to hard pressed home owners

I am bringing measures and actions to promote recycling and recycling facilities in the county and continue to oppose the building of incineration in our county.

I am campaigning to ensure that young people and families in Meath will be better supported to buy their own home. I will campaign to ensure that Meath County Council provides more social and affordable housing.

I am campaigning to ensure that the needs of rural communities are addressed, with increased support for rural development, and rural services and supports.